Turkish aid agency TİKA completes 543 projects in Palestine

JERUSALEM - Anadolu Agency

The Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TİKA) has been carrying out several projects in Palestine with the aim to cater to the needs of Palestinians.

From 2005-2008, TİKA completed 543 projects in the health, water, and archaeological sectors.

TİKA concluded 332 of these projects in occupied West Bank, 81 in occupied East Jerusalem, and 130 in Gaza which is under Israeli blockade.

TİKA, which has recently built a 180-bed modern hospital for the people of Gaza, is currently working on a housing project that includes 320 apartments.

It also pays attention to the social infrastructure, supports NGOs and empowerment of women, and encourages sports activities.

Turkish-style development model

Bülent Korkmaz, the Palestine coordinator of TİKA, said the aid group, in the words of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was “the executive body of the Turkish development model.”

“We operate with the spirit of research, while identifying problems and opportunities, and striving to create alternative ways. Our priority is not religious, ethnic or political groups, we focus on those who are needy,” Korkmaz said.

“We look for sincere relations shaped by brotherhood and friendship,” he added.

Korkmaz said they had conducted numerous projects in collaboration with groups affiliated with the United Nations and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

“We share our activities on social and traditional media. Furthermore, we would like to show our methods to the shareholders who want to meet us or learn more about the organization,” he added.

So far, six schools have been built by TİKA in Palestine. The agency has finished restoring nine schools and provided equipment support to 20 others.

TİKA also provides medical equipment and training to staff and ambulances in Palestine.

Korkmaz said the aid agency was directly involved in 58 different countries with 60 offices and had access to 170 countries.